1237 Not Xi Xi’s Fault
Everyone had different expressions. Xia Cheng had already given an explanation, and the Xia family still had to discuss a collaboration with the Luo family. The Luo family would not collaborate with a family that plagiarized and lied, so the Xia family would definitely not admit that Xia Ji plagiarized Xia Yunqiu’s work no matter what.
Although Qiao Xi had produced evidence, the Xia family had also given a reasonable explanation. They were unable to get the dead to stand up and tell them the truth. Both parties had their own arguments, so it could only depend on who lost first.
Qiao Xi’s eyes were filled with coldness. She had not gotten so angry in such a long time.
Xia Ji pretended to be tolerant. “This isn’t Xi Xi’s fault. She wasn’t even born at that time, so she didn’t know the truth. Actually, I didn’t care at all. If Yunqiu was still alive, she would naturally be representing the Xia family in this collaboration with the Luo family. Unfortunately, she passed away at a young age. Xi Xi, I hope you can understand our painstaking efforts. We don’t want Yunqiu to bear the infamy either, but now that things have come to this, we had no choice but to tell the truth.”
Xia Mengyan’s eyes were red, and her heart ached. “Dad! Why didn’t you tell me?! I almost misunderstood you!”
Xia Ji patted her back gently and said with a loving gaze, “Mengyan, I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid you’d be too rash and stand up for me like Xi Xi. However, your Aunt Yunqiu and I are biological siblings. I won’t ruin Yunqiu’s reputation for my own benefit. Unfortunately, I still exposed it in the end. Now that this matter has been explained clearly, I hope everyone won’t take it to heart. After all, the dead are gone. Everything is in the past.”
Everyone praised him obsequiously, “President Xia, you’re really tolerant! What a rare quality!”
“After all, we’re family! Miss Qiao didn’t know either. Moreover, she was just defending her mother. This is just a misunderstanding. No one is wrong here!”
“Although Xia Yunqiu is the legitimate daughter, it’s too much for her to snatch someone else’s work. She stole the glory that should have belonged to you, President Xia. You’ve really suffered all these years. Fortunately, the truth is finally out.”
“Chairman Xia, Xia Yunqiu has already passed away. You should’ve said this out loud a long time ago. Otherwise, Miss Qiao wouldn’t have misunderstood you. Miss Qiao is a junior and has wronged her elders. She should apologize!”
The businessmen who were close to the Xia family stood up and echoed, “That’s right! Miss Qiao, although this isn’t your fault, you caused a scene in the lobby and seriously affected President Xia’s reputation. You should apologize to him. A tolerant and magnanimous person like President Xia won’t blame you.”
Qiao Xi curled her lips into a gloomy smile, and the coldness in her eyes grew even stronger.
Sumei tugged at the corner of Xia Cheng’s shirt and looked at him aggrievedly. Xia Cheng cleared his throat and said, “Xi Xi, I know that you and Yunqiu had a deep relationship as mother and daughter. Yunqiu is also the child I doted on the most. I’m very happy that you had such intentions, but you were too rash today and misunderstood your uncle. No matter what, he’s your elder. You should apologize. As a child of the Xia family, you should be brave enough to admit your mistake so that you can continue to improve.”
Everyone’s burning gazes landed on Qiao Xi. They also felt that it was understandable for the Xia family to ask Qiao Xi to apologize. After all, today was an important day for the Xia family as they were going to be discussing a collaboration with the Luo family, yet she chose this day to cause trouble. She clearly did not take the Xia family seriously. She should apologize to her elders.
However…
The scene was silent. After a long time, Qiao Xi did not speak. Xia Ji’s expression gradually turned gloomy.
Even if he was an illegitimate child, he was Qiao Xi’s uncle according to seniority. What right did she have to look down on him?
Xia Mengyan bit her lip and cursed in her heart, but there was a fake and gentle smile on her face. “Xi Xi, it’s just an apology. As long as you apologize, my father and grandfather will forgive you. We’re family, so no one will make things difficult for you. It won’t do you any good if you continue to be in a deadlock with us.”
Qiao Xi glanced indifferently at her, then a meaningful smile appeared in her eyes. The air around her became icy-cold.
Xia Cheng’s tone gradually became impatient. “Xi Xi, this isn’t your fault, but you slandered your uncle without distinguishing right from wrong. Is it wrong for me to ask you to apologize?”
Everyone stared fixedly at Qiao Xi. Some people knew that she was Mrs. Gu, and they thought that she was able to be so unyielding because she had Gu Zheng as her backer. Those who did not know her identity sighed in their hearts. This woman was really audacious to not take the Xia family seriously at all.
